Mr. R?n?n Hession:

What a basic income does is make sure there is a floor on the downside. What it is probably not as good at is that when a person starts earning more income or towards average levels of income, he or she pays more tax. In terms of the overall costs, costings have been done in Ireland over the years. They are very high amounts, effectively the equivalent of the social welfare system.

It is a conceptual thing that is under debate. The Government is exploring it in two particular contexts. One is a universal basic income, on which the Tánaiste's Department is leading, and the other is a target measure in the arts, on which the Minister, Deputy Martin's, Department is leading. That is not something we have put on the table for carers. It would not be a social welfare payment as such. In terms of what comes out of that analysis, however, Government will have a look at where it might go.

Participation income is a slight variation of that as well. It is basically a form of unconditional payment that incorporates voluntary activity and other types of alternatives to employment.